Mexico City, Mexico, Feb 8, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Bishop Jose Luis Amezcua Melgoza of Campeche, Mexico, said this week the large presence of sects in his diocese is leading to division among the local communities.
The bishop said in his dioceses there are currently three or four Protestant churches for every Catholic church. He said it was due in part to the priest shortage, which Protestant sects take advantage of in order to gain recruits.

Bishop Amezcua said that to counter this, a small group of priests and lay Catholics are helping to foster vocations among young people. But he said the effort would take time and that results would not be seen “overnight.”

“You have to chose, begin to provide formation, watch over and accompany them during formation to see if there are authentic signs of a vocation,” the bishop explained.